There is always the Lenovo ThinkPad T60, which comes with SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) on it. I've had my best luck with Dell and HP/Compaq machines. Forget the modem, though, as most have software modems (often called Winmodems) for which no open source driver exists. Some can be made to work, but not many. I just use a USB external or a PCMCIA/Cardbus modem if I must.

I have had good experience with Acer machines, again with the modem caveat.

My favorite Linux laptops are Macs; either PPC or the more modern Intel powered ones. I like the hardware and while I have had problems getting reliable sound on some of the older PPC ones, eventually I get it. The Intel powered ones have so far worked like champs using Ubuntu. I have not had problems with the modems on Macs, yet.

Avoid Gateway and eMachines. Somehow, they never seem to work well with Linux, though there are some who will argue that with me.

I avoid dual booting like the pest, but when my wife transitioned from Windows to Linux, she dual booted her lappie for a while. We're all Linux here now, though we do have Windows machines - XP Home and Vista Ultimate - because I have to support them for others.

I have to strongly disagree with amin's comments on Tue, 2007-04-24 10:28. As a new user to this forum and to the subject of "Linux friendly laptops", I found Jack Imsdahl response on Mon, 2007-04-23 17:50 right on the mark. This is exactly what I was looking for when I stumbled upon this forum. I find it very counter productive to "make me discover the solution by myself". I am intelligent and can easily separate out personal bias from solid facts so I would rather see more "cook book" replies. If that is in conflict with the aim of this forum then please tell me where I may go to find this that sort of response.